Dec. 15, 2020 • Volume 23, Issue 24 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
INSIDE • Local recreates father’s Christmas village 12A • ‘Hee Haw’ star settles into Bluffton life after show biz career 16A • On the Porch chat with Bluffton’s Frank Hodge 20A • Bead shop owners are naturals 28A • New store features items made by local artisans 32A
Holiday shoppers give community a gift when buying local By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
Almost every club or organization needs money to carry out its activities. When local sports teams, youth groups, community theatres, music clubs, veterans’ organizations and others reach out for donations and sponsorship, they turn to one loyal and dependable entity: local merchants. If you missed Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28, there is still plenty of time to shop local, and Old Town Bluffton is often the first place people think of for local shopping. The Calhoun Street area and The Promenade are packed to the gills with items reflecting the “Bluffton State of Mind,” beginning with area artists. Artist Murray Sease, who exhibits at La Petite Gallerie, says art lovers are going to find unique local art in Bluffton’s galleries. “Bluffton is so lucky to have so many talented local artists. I think that is what makes our galleries really special,” said Sease, who paints in oils. Many of her works are inspired by Bluffton scenes, including farmers market paintings, street scenes, the wildlife and “not so wildlife,” she said.
“I have a large goat painting right now. I just finished it. I call my art ‘Fresh Paint’ because it sure is fresh,” said Sease. “They come to the gallery right off the easel.” A couple of the newest gallery members are acrylics artist Kristin Griffis, who is inspired by music, and abstract painter Rose Cofield, who gets many of her ideas from architecture, Sease said. But don’t stop with La Petite Gallery, she said. Look around the other galleries as well. “We have wonderful pottery (in Bluffton). There is a lot of sculpture, including some here in our garden. Several of the other galleries have unique outdoor art and sculpture. The Red Piano has lots of big bronze sculptures,” said Sease. “I mean, you just can’t beat Bluffton for the local art galleries.” Just down the sidewalk from La Petite Gallerie is a new bead shop that offers jewelry options for all ages. In September, owners Steve and Kathleen Mardell opened High Tide Beads next door to The Store. The bead and jewelry shop had operated on Hilton Head for a number of years. Visitors can make their own jeweled creations or purchase beads, necklaces and bracelets that Steve has already created. Mary O’Neill, marketing director of the
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From your friends at the
Bring your family to visit the Maritime Center this holiday season!
Open: Tues-Fri: 1pm-5pm Sat: 10am-2pm | CLOSED Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan 1, 2021
PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org | (843) 645-7774 | 310 Okatie Highway
LYNNE COPE HUMMELL
Proprietors of a trio of Old Town enterprises encourage shopping local. From left are Lauren Terrett, an artist with La Petite Gallerie; Steve Mardell, owner of High Tide Beads; Babbie Guscio, owner of The Store; and Murray Sease of La Petite Gallerie, all located in the same historic building on Calhoun Street.
Old Town Bluffton Merchant’s Association, said shopping in Old Town is a healthier “mall-ternative.” “It’s safe shopping because our shops are
all outside and not in a mall, hence it’s a mall-ternative. You’re walking from shop
Please see SHOP LOCAL on page 8A